The pageantry of high school cross country meets often includes dozens of teams and more than 100 runners.

That won't be the case today at Anaconda Hills Golf Course, which is also what makes it a special event.

"It's our only dual meet of the year," said C.M. Russell High coach Doug Darko. "So it's just two teams going at it, and the kids usually give it their all."

The Rustlers and Great Falls High Bison will race against each other this afternoon in the annual crosstown meet, with the first race starting at 4:15.

"I'm sure the kids will all run as well as they can, no matter what," said GFH coach Bob Stingley. "And somebody will surprise everyone and run out of their gourd. That's usually what happens."

Teams from CMR have dominated this meet in recent years. The Russell boys have won eight straight city titles while the Rustler girls are on a three-year winning streak.

"This year I think the girls should be pretty close," said Stingley. "As for the guys, on paper it doesn't look good for us. But you never know."

Bison senior Hannah Schaffer is the defending city meet champion, but freshman Laura Duffy has been the team's top runner this fall. CMR freshmen McKenzie George and Annabella Aline have also had impressive seasons.

"This meet usually comes down to the fourth and fifth runners," Stingley said.

George has been bothered with some illness this week, Darko said.

"The girls' race is up for grabs. It will be really, really close," he said. "It just depends who's healthy and who's not."

The boys' race figures to be a showdown between fellow frosh Collin Buck and Cooper West of CMR. They've both had excellent seasons.

"Collin has been running really, really well," Darko said. "And Cooper has been tough all year. They're pushing each other. It will be fun to watch them at (the state meet)."

Great Falls High's Teagan Olson might also challenge for medalist honors. Stingley said Will Hoard and Nathan Jones have displayed improvement of late.

Senior Day festivities will begin at 4 p.m., followed 15 minutes thereafter by the girls' race. The boys' race is expected to start about 5 p.m.

Last year, Shaffer won bested the 3-mile girls' race in 20:41. The CMR girls won the team battle by 24-34.

CMR's Jacob Blake, who is another key contributor to a deep Russell team this season, finished second to graduated teammate Shay LaVallie (17:15) in last year's city meet. Hoard and Buck were third and fourth, respectively, in the race a year ago. Russell's boys won the team title by 21-34.

This will be the only competition of the week for the Great Falls High and CMR runners. Both teams conclude the season a week from Saturday at the state meet in Helena.